According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone profits reached US$9 billion in total during the third quarter of 2016. Apple dominated and captured a record 91% share of all smartphone profits worldwide, note the research group.
“We estimate the global smartphone industry realized total operating profits of US$9.4 billion during Q3 2016,” says Linda Sui, director at Strategy Analytic. “Apple’s ability to maximize pricing and minimize production cost is hugely impressive, and the iPhone continues to generate monster profits. Huawei, Vivo and OPPO are the next three most profitable smartphone vendors globally this quarter, but they are still a long way behind Apple.”
Three of the world’s top four most profitable smartphone vendors are currently Chinese. Huawei, Vivo and OPPO have not only improved their smartphone product lineups this year, they have also enhanced their operational abilities and kept a tight lid on expanding distribution costs, says Sui.